Yeah i’ve tried with 253nm light and a whole bunch of solvents and catalysts temperatures etc.
Some methods are better than others, highest yields from photocatalytic were 40-50%.
No, I don’t think it’s safer, due to so many unknown possible reaction pathways and reactive radical species that are possible when uv is introduced. But overall not a horrible way to go especially with the relatively low temps required.
There is more information in the CBN creating thread if you’re up for some reading